We are a group of imperfect people pursuing a perfect God. We exist to help each other find and follow Christ. These are some things we want to be true of our group:

We create a safe and honest environment, staying transparent and authentic.

We keep it inside the circle. Confidentiality is necessary for a healthy group.

We look together to the Bible for help and guidance, and keep out our own politics, sales, or agendas.

We do not try to fix each other, preach sermons, or give unsolicited advice. We instead encourage, listen to, and celebrate each other.

We handle conflict between us quickly and honestly by going to the person, owning our part, and practicing forgiveness.

We respect each others’ time by starting and ending when we say we will.

We trust that it is God’s role to change people, not ours.

We believe that in Jesus Christ, there is hope for everyone.

Last week, we kicked off the message series called, “BYOG," where we unpacked versions of God we have invented or inherited, in order to take a look at who Jesus says God is. Today, we’re taking a look at the “Blind Faith God.” It’s tough to believe in things you cannot see, touch, or hear. So, we’re taking on one of the big questions: How can I believe in a God I can’t see?"

BREAKING THE ICE

Did you go to the Mission City Interest Lunch? What would hold you back from being one of the 100 that help launch Mission City this fall?

Growing up, was your household very open to questions and discussion?

There is a tension to manage!

On one side of the tension of serving, God calls us all to serve Him in different ways - and not everyone will (or should) go help Mission City get started! So I can never make someone else feel “lesser than” for not doing what God is calling ME to do.

On the other side of the tension, all of us have barriers up, blocking us from obeying what God is inviting us to do. So sometimes we need to work to identify those barriers so that we don’t miss out on the adventures God has in store for us.

CONNECT

Different by designJake talks about the famous dress that some people saw as white/gold and others saw as blue/black. Just like the cells in our eyes interpret this dress differently, God made us to think differently from each other.

Why do you think God gave us the ability to think differently? What importance is there in having different gifts, abilities, aspirations, and thoughts?

Acting like a familyIn John 17, Jesus prays for us:

13 “...I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Even if we’re different, Jesus still want us to act in perfect unity. Chew on this as a group: What is Christian unity? Why is it important? How is it expressed?

Christian Unity

This is not an easy concept. There are some things that Christians must agree on, most importantly: “The inspiration and authority of Scripture; the Trinity; the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ; His substitutionary death on the cross; His bodily resurrection; His bodily second coming; and, salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works.”

APPLY

Believing is seeingGod knows there will be times in our lives when our faith will be shaken. Jesus is not afraid of our questions, doubt, or the debate. In fact, he encourages us to ask questions daily and engage in conversation with Him. He also gave us 3 amazing tools: His Spirit, the Bible, and each other.

Do you feel comfortable engaging with Jesus on a daily basis?

Have you heard, felt, seen God’s presence? Or has God’s presence been known with someone you know?

Was Jesus telling the truth?Jesus said I am the ONLY way, the truth, and the light. Jake points out that in our world, Jesus saying this is the most grating thing to say (that there is only one way to be right with God). But, it’s only rude if it’s not true. If it’s true, then it’s the most loving thing Jesus could’ve said.

We know the most important things are not often easy to hear. But, it’s hard to do that in a way that makes someone feel loved so they can hear the truth.

Why is it so hard for us, as human beings, to hear that Jesus claims to be God?

What are the keys to having a productive conversation about God?

relationships with people

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. One of the keys to great conversations is gaining those relationship “chips” with people by loving them with no strings attached.

Exploring the big questionsControversy is always a little dangerous! But we want to go deeper as a group and the only way to do that is to have a safe space to speak our minds. Below are some questions we’d love for you to consider discussing. Keep in mind, just because we won’t understand something entirely, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be going on the journey.

If you want a deeper dive, Tim Mackie and Chuck Missler both have some compelling points of view on Genesis, but there are endless views and the only way to know for sure is to ask God.

Why is there life on this planet?

What is our purpose?

Why do our decisions matter?

Who says we should follow these morals?

READ. PRAY. DO.

READ

Jesus prayed an amazing prayer for us in John 17. Read the whole prayer!

PRAY

Pray this prayer on your own, or use it to kickstart your own personal prayer time. Lord, thank you for this amazing journey I’m on. I know you’re with me always--in my happy moments and in my darkest moments. Please show me how to pray, what questions to ask you, and how to meditate on you every moment so I don’t miss it when you’re showing me the answers. Please strengthen my foundation so my faith can handle the blind moments. I trust you Lord!

DO

Write down your tough questions for God. Find out where in the bible it talks about your questions (GotQuestions.org is a great resource!), ask your group leader to pray about your questions with you as you need, and ask the Holy Spirit to point out the answers to you this week.

Don’t forget that God sometimes reveals things slowly over time, and that’s okay! Writing your questions down will allow you to go write the answers when you get them, even if it takes a lifetime to understand.